Jason Spezza wore an alternate captain's 'A' with Daniel Alfredsson out of the lineup nursing a back injury.

After Thursday's big trade and Alfredsson shelved indefinitely, he should probably expect to have Mike Fisher's letter permanently affixed to his jersey.

Probably even in time for the 500th game of his career, Saturday in Edmonton.

In rebuild mode, GM Bryan Murray has not asked Spezza to waive his no-trade clause. No, he has suggested his No. 1 centre take on more of a leadership role.

"No, I want to be part of the solution here," Spezza said when asked by reporters if he would welcome a move, given the circumstances. "I feel this team has a lot more potential than we're showing. We have a chance to make a quick turnaround here. I don't think it's going to be a long rebuilding process. We have good pieces in place, we just haven't shown it.

"I think I can be a big help to turn this thing around and maybe take a little more responsibility on myself. Definitely, my thoughts right now going forward are really trying to fix this and trying to make us a better team."

Spezza said his only conversation with Murray recently has been about getting things on the winning track.

"There's no reason for us to be as bad as we've been this year," said Spezza. "We can be a team that competes again next year."

As for his milestone game, Spezza only hopes it's one that sees the Senators snap their 11-game losing streak.

"I'd love to get a win for No. 500," he said.

He also said it feels like the 500 have gone by quickly.

"Seems that it's been kind of a roller-coaster career right now," said Spezza. "Started off tough, some real high points and now maybe the lowest I've felt as a player with the lack of success we've had.

"Time flies and it kind of puts things in perspective when you see the numbers go up and up and up and you realize you're not going to play forever. I hope to play a lot of games and this is another milestone along the way. You never know with health and other things."